John Edward
From SkepticWiki
Born as John Edward Magee, John Edward is an alleged psychic medium, creator and host of the erstwhile television show Crossing Over With John Edward (on which he supposedly communicates with the dead friends and relatives of people in the show's studio audience), and author of a number of books in which he discusses his supposed psychic powers.
Since Edward declines to be tested under controlled conditions (other than in a controversial study by psychic-friendly Gary Schwartz), and his readings are indistinguishable from those achieved by mentalists (entertainers who create the illusion of being psychic by using techniques such as Cold Reading, Warm Reading and Hot Reading), skeptics believe him to be a con artist, callously making money off of the pain and suffering of those grieving over the loss of their loved ones.
[edit] John Edward in the Media
Edward was lampooned in an episode of the animated television show South Park, in an episode titled The Biggest Douche In The Universe. In this episode, Edward is portrayed as a heartless fraud who uses cold reading techniques to bilk the grieving.
Some dialogue from the episode:
- Stan: All I need you to do is just talk to him and tell him, you know, the whole talking to dead people isn't for real.
- John Edward: Maybe it is for real.
- Stan: Right, but it's not. It's a trick you do and I need you to just let my friend Kyle know that so he can go on with his life.
- John Edward: Look, people have the right to be skeptical. I really hear voices in my head.
- Stan: Yes. We all hear voices in our heads. It's called "intuition." Get over yourself and tell my friend it's just for fun.
- John Edward: Look, what I do doesn't hurt anybody. I give people closure and help them cope with life.
- Stan: No, you give them false hope and a belief in something that isn't real.
- John Edward: But I'm a psychic.
- Stan: No dude, you're a douche.
- John Edward: I'm not a douche! What if I really believe that dead people talk to me?
- Stan: Then you're a stupid douche!
At the end of the episode, Edward wins the "Biggest Douche In The Universe" contest, held by a group of aliens.
The television show Saturday Night Live parodied Edward (and his "Crossing Over" television show) in a skit in which Edward is shown as a very bad cold reader.
